Statesman: One more move and Big 12 is over

[skyscraper]

http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhor ... 09134.html

Should Oklahoma act upon its earnest desires and seek an invitation to join the Pacific-12 Conference — something I'm fully expecting to happen within days, if not hours — that decision could well be the killing blow to the Big 12 while also providing Texas the political cover to follow suit and ask for admission as well.

The Pac-12's not going to ask first. It's been down that road before, led along until the eleventh hour a year ago.

If OU gives notice that it is leaving the Big 12 — or if any of the other remaining eight members do, for that matter — the very foundation of the league would crumble.

Here's what I think will happen, probably before the calendar turns to October:

Your new Pac-16 members: Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

The era of the super conference begins.

[One Trick Pony]

Nevermind .....

[jtstang]

When the music stops will SMU find a seat?

[Water Pony]

When the music stops will SMU find a seat?

Yes, even if Big XII is reconfigured. In a future era of larger conferences and/or fewer ones, I believe Texas will determine that they want a BCS conference to exist in the Lone Star State. Selfishly, the idea that universities in the state and current Big 12 footprint would be redistributed to SEC, PAC 12 and Big 10 is not a good prospect for UT or any fan of Lone Star football. The Longhorns will come out and be the Big 12 savior, while hanging on to OK. As a result, this conference and/or another will want a highly visible presence in Dallas.

[EastStang]

Its time for Fox to open its wallet and try to broker a deal with the Big XII north leftovers and CUSA West and perhaps a few teams from the BE. Try TCU, SMU, KU, MO, Memphis, KSU, ISU, UH, UTEP, OSU, Louisville, and Cincy. Gets you St. Louis, KC, Cincy, DFW, Houston, market penetration. Great hoops, decent football and better football than the BE. Have the tournament annually in either Dallas or St. Louis!

[couch 'em]

The real question for me is - how much is a foothold in Dallas REALLY worth?

Wouldn't the PAC or Big10 like to recruit in Dallas and add Texas to their TV package? Is it really worth THAT much? Is our presence in Dallas overrated as we try to justify inclusion in a BCS conference?

[ericdickerson4life]

I've poised this question before, but there was a study that showed how much money the state of Texas was going to lose economically if the B12 broke up, it was in the hundreds of millions. So would the state legislation put no pressure or stop UT from bolting to the PAC12 and keep the B12 together? This is really all about 1 school? I get TV dollars, I get all of that. But when it comes to impacting the state I figured someone would say enough is enough.

UT can come up with some deal to keep OU and Missouri. No one else is going anywhere. Time to expand and build the brand.

[ponyboy]

The PAC 12 or 16 or whatever is going to have to change its tune regarding the Longhorn Network. It'd be fascinating, although unthinkable really, if Texas gets bypassed by the superconferences and watching from the sideline because of the new network. Fun to think about.

Opportunity. Though so much is out of our hands, I like what we're doing with it right now.

[ponyinNC]

And what is the deal with Dan Branch and the TX Higher Ed Committee?? I thought they were going to hold a hearing the first time TAMU talked about leaving for the SEC...that never happened. And now they TAMU is out the door... What gives? Does the Board have any real power here? Are they on recess, like all of DC right now?

Thought SMU had a real ally there, but was it all blowing smoke?

[jtstang]

The Longhorns will come out and be the Big 12 savior, while hanging on to OK. As a result, this conference and/or another will want a highly visible presence in Dallas.

This SMU gives the Big 12 a Dallas presence argument is the most overblown nonsense ever. Our alumni base in Dallas can't fill up a 30K seat stadium. If UT stays in the Big 12 as its saviour, UT will be all the Dallas presence needed.

[redpony]

JT- don't really agree. Yes, the whorens have a big footprint in Dallas but they might also welcome some help to prevent the additional dilution of talent going to the SEC when the ags start playing there. Of course the whorens ego and arrogance may keep them from adding any teams in Texas to the b12-3.

GO PONIES!!!

[peruna81]

The real question for me is - how much is a foothold in Dallas REALLY worth?

Wouldn't the PAC or Big10 like to recruit in Dallas and add Texas to their TV package? Is it really worth THAT much? Is our presence in Dallas overrated as we try to justify inclusion in a BCS conference?

Note the Saturday game of Oregon v. LSU...both conferences want a toehold to any market that is a recruiting base, and to new future revenue via media/advertising contracts/contacts.

SMU obviously does not have the DFW media/advertising/sports market by a long shot; but like real estate, it is about LOCATION,LOCATION, LOCATION. For now, we have only two bullets in the six shooter, but give it our best shot with that LOCATION.

[lwjr]

What about the Big 12 quietly recruiting Arizona and Arizona State along with BYU to come in to the Big 12? Opens up recruiting for these schools in Texas. I know it will never happen but fun to discuss and laugh about.

[redpony]

Az and ASU would be totally nuts to leave the PAC-12 and go to b12-3. Are you kiddin' me?

GO PONIES!!!

[westexSMU]

I don't see Texas being allowed to keep all their LNW proceeds in the PAC 12. So unless they see the LNW failing from lack of interest, which certainly may happen, why wouldn't UT just go independent ?